UU Women and Religion is a grassroots project started by lay leaders in the 1970s as an effort to promote examination of religious roots of sexism and patriarchy within the UUA and beyond, UUWR officially began as a task force following the unanimously-passed WOMEN AND RELIGION RESOLUTION at the 1977 UUA General Assembly. Although the Task Force was eventually sunsetted, the movement still exists in UU communities that hold Women & Religion programs and gatherings for those who identify as women. It exists at the UU General Assembly, where UUW&R brings our Store to the Exhibit Hall and occasionally hosts a gathering. The many changes inspired by this movement include congregations' use of an annual Water Ritual, and the Joys and Concerns time many congregations embrace. We call it the Continental UUW&R to distinguish it from the one surviving district group, Pacific Central W&R.
"We do not want a piece of the pie. It is still a patriarchal pie. We want to change the recipe!" -- Rosemary Matson
Continental UUW&R is completely volunteer-run. The 4-member Core Group has committed to making new and historical resources available to congregations and especially the UU women's groups who have continued meeting long beyond the UUA's ending support for the task force in the 1990s. Classic curricula such as "Cakes for the Queen of Heaven," and "Rise Up and Call Her Name," and books like "Circle Model of Shared Leadership" continue to be published and made available in our online Store. UUW&R's main source of fundraising is a booth at General Assembly and at UU women's retreats. The Store features art and written works by famous and not-so-famous UU women. A contribution of any amount to UUW&R through a share-the-plate collection would be welcomed. You may also support our work by purchasing from our Store.
